News briefs and information from Federal agencies and Capitol Hill on government activities, legislation, and grants of interest to the telemedicine, telehealth, and health IT community. Edited by Carolyn Bloch.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Companies Seeking Partners

Nine New Zealand companies are in the U.S. in search of investors and partners to help commercialize innovative health technology. Hailing from the same country that developed the technological wizardry of Avatar and The Lord of the Rings, The Kiwi companies are showcasing everything from 3D virtual reality medical simulators to tissue regeneration patches for use in reconstructive surgeries.

New Zealand has a small dispersed population of 4 million people and as a result, the country has been an early adopter of healthcare technology. For example, 97 percent of the country’s general practitioners use EMR systems and 100 percent of the laboratories communicate via secure health data networks.

A “Focus on Health” business competition was developed by the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise—the government’s economic development agency. The competition was held to identify products and services with strong potential for the U.S. healthcare market.

Nine New Zealand finalists were chosen from 104 entries by an international panel of judges:

• Airway Skills: This bronchoscopy simulator is a 3-D virtual-reality training device that allows doctors and anesthesiologists to develop expert skills without practicing on a patient. The device is portable, affordable and runs off of a regular laptop. Go to www.airwayskills.com

• B2P: This portable device is used for testing food and water for E Coli and other dangerous bacteria and could help prevent more than 76 million cases of food poisoning each year in the U.S. alone. Go to www.b2ptesting.com

• INROnline: This web-based program allows people on blood thinners to monitor and manage their condition through the web. Users use a standard finger prick test, enter their results online to get immediate treatment advice that includes dose management. www.inronline.com

• Mesynthes: Endoform Infection Control is an easy-to-apply tissue regeneration patch that can be used inside or outside the body to promote faster healing and prevents infections. www.mesynthes.com

• Pictor: The Company’s PictArray test kits deliver diagnostic results for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hepatitis B and C in just two minutes using only one drop of blood. The kits reduce the cost, time, equipment, and training needed to test blood so it is ideal for small, remote clinics as well as large sophisticated labs. www.pictordx.com

• Simtics: This web-based training program teaches medical students and doctors surgical and clinical procedures without practicing on patients. It uses 3D anatomy and virtual reality simulation to teach and update skills anytime anywhere with a standard PC connected to the internet. www.simtics.com

For more information, email Jordan Robinson Agnor at Development Counselors International at Jordan.robinson@dc-intl.com, call (212) 725-0707 or cell at 254-631-5517.

Key research reports:

Federal Agencies - Revised for 2012: More than 25 government agencies provide grants and contracting opportunities in telemedicine, telehealth, and health IT. What programs are getting funded? Find out in this new 260-page report. Learn more.

Includes FREE bonus report: How to Sell to HHS: This beginner's guide will help you navigate the complex federal marketplace, find agency contacts, and write a winning proposal. Learn more.